After all, beach houses can either go low-brow (think straw huts, surfboards and seashells) or modern resort (with high-end lounge furniture and minimalist aesthetic). But sticking exclusively with one style can feel heavy handed, so try mixing the two, says Michelle Workman, an interior designer and owner of Michelle Workman Interiors in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

“The best designs always balance high and low,” Workman says. “The dichotomy of a silver-gray piece of driftwood on an expensive lacquered chest of drawers shows how the natural highlights the elegant. Mixing styles in this way is where true beauty can be found.”

The rustic beach look usually incorporates natural elements such as stone, wood, iron and rustic furniture, while the upscale look favors softer colors, higher-end fabrics and furniture that boasts clean lines, Burke says. These elements can be mixed and matched to create homes that reflect the personalities of their owners.

The key is to create a home that is comfortable and functional, regardless of style. “No matter what you do, you want your home to be aesthetically pleasing,” Burke says. “There’s no reason why you can’t mix styles.”

Burke recommends a few tried-and-true examples to avoid style discordance: Try adding small touches, like a weathered wood stump or rustic iron chandelier in a modern beach home with white walls and minimalist furniture.

On the other hand, modern furniture and soft-colored fabrics could fit comfortably inside a laid-back beach bungalow.

Patrick Killen, an architect, author and founder of Studio 9 one 2 in Manhattan Beach, Calif., is another fan of the hybrid look, as long as it’s within reason.

“The biggest pitfall I’ve seen is when homeowners try to copy a style that isn’t intended for a specific area,” says Killen, who wrote “The Modern California Beach House” (Images Publishing Dist A/C, 2012).

As an example, Killen points to the Italian villa style of house. It doesn’t fit in a beachfront community, Killen says.

Unfortunately, many homeowners ignore this advice, and force their favorite style of home – in both architecture and interior design – in a neighborhood where they don’t fit.

For example, a beach house is designed to take advantage of water views and sunlight. It needs a lot of windows that face in the right direction. It should also have plenty of livable outdoor space – patios, outdoor kitchens and decks – so owners can enjoy their environment.

Other styles of homes are not designed this way, meaning that homeowners who stubbornly adhere to out-of-place design principles are missing out on the real advantages of living in a beachfront community.

“I can’t force my clients to do anything. But I do recommend that they consider their surroundings when making decisions. The biggest thing is to stay true to where you are,” Killen says.